Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was pleased with his side’s resilience in their 2-2 draw with Leicester, as they fought back from a two-goal deficit to salvage a point. However, the Austrian coach identified areas for improvement, particularly in their defense, as they continue to concede goals too easily.
Early Lead for Leicester
Leicester took the lead in the 21st minute when a well-executed ball over the top from Wilfred Ndidi found Jamie Vardy. The veteran striker outmaneuvered Marc Guehi and Dean Henderson to open the scoring for the Foxes. Just 23 seconds into the second half, Leicester doubled their lead as Nathaniel Clyne misjudged a cross from James Justin, allowing Ndidi to set up Stephy Mavidid for a clinical finish.
Palace’s Response
Despite the setback, Crystal Palace quickly responded and pulled one back through Jean-Philippe Mateta, who finished off a cross from Tyrick Mitchell. The Eagles continued to press and were rewarded in added time when Ismaila Sarr won a penalty after a mistimed challenge from Conor Coady. Mateta converted the spot kick to secure a valuable point for his side.
Glasner’s Assessment
After the match, Glasner commended his team for their comeback spirit but emphasized the need to address their defensive vulnerabilities. He acknowledged that conceding goals too easily has been a recurring issue in their games, making it challenging to secure victories in the Premier League. Glasner stressed the importance of reducing the goals against them through improved organization and concentration at the back.
The draw against Leicester marked Crystal Palace’s second point from their opening four fixtures in the Premier League. Glasner highlighted the mental toughness displayed by his players in overcoming deficits and praised their ability to create chances and dominate play. However, he underscored the significance of shoring up their defense to achieve consistent success in the top flight.
In his post-match comments, Glasner outlined the team’s commitment to addressing their defensive shortcomings through focused training sessions and tactical adjustments. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between attacking prowess and defensive solidity to compete effectively in the Premier League.
As the Eagles look ahead to their upcoming fixtures, Glasner expressed confidence in the squad’s potential to improve and evolve as a cohesive unit. He reiterated the need for collective responsibility in defending as a team and minimizing errors that lead to conceding goals. Glasner’s proactive approach to addressing weaknesses within the squad reflects his dedication to maximizing their performance and achieving positive results.
In conclusion, Crystal Palace’s draw against Leicester highlighted both their resilience and areas for improvement under Oliver Glasner’s guidance. The team’s ability to fight back from deficits showcases their character, while the focus on tightening up their defense underscores the commitment to continuous growth and development. With Glasner at the helm, Crystal Palace aims to build on their positive traits and rectify their defensive lapses to compete at the highest level in the Premier League.
